An ammonia synthesis converter for small production units which provides full access for routine maintenance and catalyst replacement while providing adequate catalyst pressure drop to ensure kinetic performance and reduce heat leak from the catalyst beds. A shell has a removable top head and an annular basket is removably mounted in the shell. First and second catalyst beds are disposed in the annular zone of the basket for axial down-flow in series. A quench gas is introduced into effluent from the first catalyst bed and the resulting mixture into a top of the second catalyst bed. A feed-effluent interchanger in the inner basket zone is adapted to receive effluent from the second catalyst bed and indirectly heat a feed to the first catalyst bed. Also, methods of operating and servicing the converter.

The present invention is related to an oxynitride-hydride which is capable of achieving both stabilization and improvement of catalyst performance when used as a support, and the oxynitride-hydride can be easily synthesized. The oxynitride-hydride is represented by the following general formula (1),

A.sub.nB.sub.mO.sub.l-xN.sub.yH.sub.z  (1) wherein in the general formula (1), x represents a number represented by 0.1≤x≤3.5; y represents a number represented by 0.1≤y≤2.0; and z represents a number represented by 0.1≤z≤2.0.

A method for catalytic synthesis of ammonia under normal pressures, including: performing a reaction of hydrogen and nitrogen to synthesize ammonia under normal pressures by taking a liquid alloy as a catalyst in a reactor, where the reactor contains a molten salt, the density of the molten salt is smaller than that of the liquid alloy, and the molten salt is used for providing a reaction interface and isolating the liquid alloy from being introduced impurities. The first metal can react with the nitrogen to produce the metal nitride, and the molten salt can provide a new reaction interface for the metal nitride to react with the hydrogen to synthesize the ammonia, so that the metal nitride can continuously generate the ammonia, and the synthesis of the ammonia can be effectively catalyzed. In addition, the molten salt can prevent the liquid alloy from contacting with the oxygen and the water vapor of the outside atmosphere, thereby preventing the liquid alloy from being oxidized and prolonging the service life of the liquid alloy.

This invention relates to a supported catalyst for synthesizing ammonia (NH.sub.3) from nitrogen gas (N.sub.2) and hydrogen gas (H.sub.2), method of making the support, and methods of decorating the support with the catalyst.

A provided ammonia synthesis catalyst is a composite catalyst including: a catalyst exhibiting catalytic activity for synthesis of ammonia; and a support supporting the catalyst. The support includes a hydrogen storage material. The hydrogen storage material is, for example, a hydrogen storage metal. The hydrogen storage metal is, for example, a hydrogen storage alloy. The hydrogen storage alloy is, for example, a solid solution. The hydrogen storage alloy is, for example, a Ti—Mn-based alloy. The catalyst includes, for example, a transition metal. The transition metal is, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of Ru, Co, Ni, Fe, Mn, V, and Ti.

Catalysts for NH.sub.3 cracking and/or synthesis generally include barium calcium aluminum oxide compounds decorated with ruthenium, cobalt, or both. These catalysts can be bonded to a metal structure, which improves thermal conductivity and gas conductance.

An ammonia synthesis converter for small production units which provides full access for routine maintenance and catalyst replacement while providing adequate catalyst pressure drop to ensure kinetic performance and reduce heat leak from the catalyst beds. A shell has a removable top head and an annular basket is removably mounted in the shell. First and second catalyst beds are disposed in the annular zone of the basket for axial down-flow in series. A quench gas is introduced into effluent from the first catalyst bed and the resulting mixture into a top of the second catalyst bed. A feed-effluent interchanger in the inner basket zone is adapted to receive effluent from the second catalyst bed and indirectly heat a feed to the first catalyst bed. Also, methods of operating and servicing the converter.

The present invention is to provide an electron or hydride ion intake/release material comprising a lanthanoid oxyhydride represented by the formula Ln(HO) (in the formula, Ln represents a lanthanoid element) or an electron or hydride ion intake/release composition comprising at least one kind of lanthanoid oxyhydride; a transition metal-supported material wherein a transition metal is supported by the above electron or hydride ion intake/release material or electron or hydride ion intake/release composition; and a catalyst comprising the transition metal-supported material. The electron or hydride ion intake/release material or electron or hydride ion intake/release composition according to the present invention has a higher ability for intake/release of electron or hydride ion than that of a conventional hydride-containing compound, and can be used effectively as a catalyst such as a catalyst having excellent ammonia synthesis activity by supporting a transition metal thereon.

The present invention is directed to a method and system for enhancing the production of ammonia from gaseous hydrogen and nitrogen. Advantageously, the method and system does not emit carbon gases during production. The method and system enhances the production of ammonia compared to traditional Haber-Bosch reactions.

A composite oxide including an oxide of a metal element L and an oxide of a metal element N, and represented by a composition of general formula L.sub.nN.sub.1-n, wherein the metal element L is a Group 1 element, a Group 2 element, or a Group 1 element and a Group 2 element, the metal element N comprises a Group 1 or Group 2 element other than the metal element L, n is 0.001 or more and 0.300 or less, the oxide of the metal element L and the oxide of the metal element N form no solid solution, and oxide particles of the metal element L are deposited on surfaces of oxide particles of the metal element N. Also, a metal-carrier material and an ammonia synthesis catalyst having, supported on this composite oxide, particles of at least one metal M selected from the group consisting of cobalt, iron, and nickel.